Easy@Home Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Test Strips Q&A

Nitrites: Presence may point to urinary tract infection or other infection.

When is the best time to test?

A morning urine sample is the best for testing.

WHY: The urinalysis that tests specifically for nitrites requires time to convert nitrates to nitrites. First morning urine is best, assuming you have slept for at least 4 hours without urinating, and the bacteria has had sufficient time to complete the conversion, and provide a concentrated sample for testing.

How do I perform the test?

Wait to remove the test strip from the bottle (or individually sealed pouch) until you are ready to test, and be sure to close the bottle tightly after removing the needed amount of strips.

There are 2 ways you can conduct the test ; by holding the test strip for 1 to 2 seconds in your urine stream, or by collecting a sample in a clean, dry, and sterile cup, and dipping the test into the urine sample for 1 to 2 seconds. For the most accurate results, it is best to get a "clean catch" sample.

After removing the strip from the urine immediately bring the edge of the strip into contact with an absorbent material (e.g. a paper towel) to remove excess urine. You don't want the urine to mix the different chemicals between panels.

Read the results for Nitrite at 1 minute and for Leukocytes at 2 minutes. Do not read the results after 3 minutes, as the results can change over time and cause an inaccurate reading.

What is a "clean catch"?

The clean catch method aims to prevent bacteria from the skin from contaminating the urine specimen. To do this, you must collect a urine sample midstream. This means that you should start urinating, then stop your flow, and then place the collection container underneath your genital area (or test strip if testing midstream) and then release your urine flow again.

How do I interpret the results?

First, look at the second to top panel (nitrites). If it is pink, it means there are nitrites in your urine sample. Nitrites are derived from nitrites, which are from bacteria. Any pink coloration means you may have a bacterial urine infection.

Next, check the top panel (leukocytes). If it is pink within two minutes of dipping the strips, this indicates that bladder or urethral inflammation may be present.

NOTE: Consult with your physician before making any medical decisions.

How long do I have to read the results?

Read the results for Nitrite at 1 minute and Leukocytes at 2 minutes. Do not read the results after 3 minutes, as the results can change over time and cause an inaccurate reading.

What can cause false readings?

In general, most substances will not interfere with test. Consult your physician if you are taking antibiotics. Some medications (e.g. Vitamin B) can affect the color of your urine, and may cause false results.

Large quantities of Vitamin C may cause false negative results as well.

What colors indicate a positive for the presence of a UTI?

The only way for you to know if you have an actual bladder INFECTION (also know as UTI) is by getting your urine cultured at a doctor's office. They will take your urine and over a couple of days, they will try to grow bacteria in a petri dish . Typically, the bacteria of a bladder infection is E.coli( the bacteria that we have naturally occurring in the gut, but it can travel from the back to the woman's urethra.)

What this dip-test is give you a good indication of whether or not you have a bladder infection. Again, aways confirm results and diagnosis with a doctor following a positive result.

What can cause a false positive for a UTI?

In general, false positives in UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) parameters rarely occur. However, the test can be positive if (Please contact your healthcare professional if a positive result occurs, especially after re-testing):

The genital area is not cleaned thoroughly.

There is vaginal discharge or menstrual blood in the urine.

There is inflammation in the urinary tract.

None of the parameters changed color, is this considered an invalid test?

No, both Nitrite and Leukocyte have a control (start) color and a normal (result) color, and when both panels are close to the control, they are within normal range.

Can I Urinate directly onto the strip?

Yes, you can saturate the strip directly in your urine stream for 1 to 2 seconds. You also have the option to collect a urine sample in a clean, dry, sterile cup and dip the strip into the sample for 1 to 2 seconds.

When do the test strips expire?

After you open the product bottle all test strips are good for 90 days. Be sure to close the bottle tightly each time you remove a test, and to keep the moisture packet in the bottle.

The expiration date of the individually wrapped test strips is stamped on the outside of each test pouch.

TIP: We recommend writing the date directly on the bottle upon opening, so you don't miss their expiration date.

What does a spotty result indicate?

This happens when the urine sample tested was most likely contaminated. We recommended retesting, and making sure the sample is clean and free of soap, vaginal discharge, menses, or some other contaminant.

TIP: Be sure to follow instructions carefully to prevent this. Read the center portion of the test squares to match with color chart for the most accurate results.

Can this screen for a yeast infection?

No, these strips deal with the urine, and the infections within the urinary tract system, urethra, ureter, kidney, and bladder.

WHY: A yeast infection is generally a vaginal infection, which does not show in the urine.

Does each parameter come with light colors?

Each parameter on the test strip includes a different color, the chart indicates a spectrum, a normal color range before testing, and the range of colors after testing, and the range of colors after testing to compare results.

Can taking Vitamin C supplements interfere with the Urine Test?

Vitamin C supplements, also referred to as ascorbate, contain ascorbic acid. The ascorbic acid can interfere with the chemical reaction, and cause false negatives for the urinalysis test. It is recommended to abstain from taking Vitamin C supplements for at least 1 day prior to testing to help avoid a false negative result.

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